Our Writers

Behind every toy and game there’s a story

Toy Tales is North America’s premier independent toy journalism website with a nostalgic focus. Every day, our writers cover the toys, games, and objects that captured our attention as children and continue to fascinate us today. We chronicle the stories behind weird, wonderful, and entertaining toys and games, the people who brought them to life, and the modern-day individuals and toy companies that uphold their legacies.

Todd Coopee, Editor-In-Chief

Todd Coopee is a toy historian, book author, entrepreneur, and collector. with a special interest in nostalgic play.

Todd explores the toys and games that inspired curiosity, thought, and experimentation during the formative years of popular culture in North America, as well as their ongoing role in the present day. He is author of the award-winning Light Bulb Baking: A History of the Easy-Bake® Oven and has researched, curated, and written about comic books and vintage toys for 20 years.

He also runs Studio 91, a web communications practice, and Sonderho Press, a boutique publishing company.

You can reach Todd at todd@toytales.ca.

John DeQuadros, Senior Writer

John DeQuadros is a professional toy photographer and pop culture writer with over 20 years of experience in the field.

John is a fan of all things pop culture, is an avid retro gamer, and collector of brands including Back To The Future, Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel, DC Comics, and The World Of Nintendo. John’s work has appeared on StarTrek.com, The 8-Bit Pickle and in the pages of Smarter Than Jack, Kaiju Ramen Magazine, The 100 Project and even the local newspaper.

John has also formed partnerships with and worked alongside noted companies such as Boss Fight Studio, Diamond Select Toys, Hasbro, Jakks Pacific, Mattel, McFarlane Toys, Mego, NECA, Panda Mony Toys, and others.

You can reach John at john@toytales.ca.

Graham E. Hancock, Contributing Writer

Graham E. Hancock is editor of Blocks magazine and author of LEGO Star Wars: The Force of Creativity and LEGO Heroes: Lego Builders Changing the World – One Brick at a Time.

Graham encourages people of all ages to explore their creativity through LEGO. With years of experience building intricate structures and mastering advanced techniques, he has become a recognized expert in the LEGO community. Through his work, he inspires others to discover the limitless possibilities of the beloved plastic bricks.

You can reach Graham at graham@toytales.ca.

Joanna Hauser, Managing Editor

Joanna Hauser is a writer and researcher who is endlessly curious about people’s hobbies and passions.

Joanna is a fan of comics, scouring flea markets for things she doesn’t need, and binge-watching television classics such as The Prisoner, Wonder Woman, and Star Trek.

You can reach Joanna at joanna@toytales.ca.

Nicolas Ricketts, Contributing Writer

Nicolas Ricketts is a former collections curator and board game specialist at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.

Nicolas’ interests include history, popular culture, American art, paper artifacts, and collections management. He regularly contributes to Toy Tales about board game history and collections care for hobbyists.

You can reach Nicolas at nicolas@toytales.ca.

Denis Savoie, Visual Storyteller

Denis Savoie is visual storyteller with a love of nostalgic objects.

A senior graphic designer and photographer, Denis has created arresting images for more than 30 years. He has a fondness for pop culture, and Ultraman and Godzilla are near to his heart.

When he’s not designing for work, he’s doing so for pleasure, including developing a LEGO town that he and his son co-founded .

You can reach Denis at denis@toytales.ca.

Brian Washington, Contributing Writer

Brian A. R. Washington, a native of Alexandria, Virginia, is a talented and versatile artist who has been drawing for as long as he can remember.

In kindergarten, he discovered his passions for children’s books and music and went on to develop his story writing and music composition skills. He particularly enjoys combining his writing, illustrations, and music in children’s stories and vocal characterizations.

You can reach Brian at brian@toytales.ca.

Contributors

In addition to our team of writers, we also share content we enjoy from creators with a shared fondness for vintage toys, classic games, and collectibles.

Dave
Dave is a toy enthusiast who offers hands-on demonstrations of vintage toys and games through his Lucky Penny Shop YouTube channel.

Dave 
Dave is creator of Toy Polloi, a YouTube channel offering repair tutorials and restoration tips for vintage toy lines.

Julia DeKorte
Julia DeKorte is a book reviewer focused on the noteworthy people and manufacturers from the toy and game industry. In addition to Toy Tales, she is a regular contributor at People of Play

Tim Walsh
Tim Walsh is an author, documentary filmmaker, toy industry veteran, and creator of the Seize the Play YouTube channel. He is also founder of the game company, Roo Games.

Guests

Toy Tales also welcome guest contributors to write about their areas of expertise. Previous contributors include Anne Williams, Brian Heiler, Chris Weston, David A. MillerEd Lute, Jonathan Sternfeld, Jules Yap, Michelle Parnett-Dwyer, Sean JacquemainTom BergesTony Temple.

Toy Tales will consider stories from freelance writers and collectors who have a special interest in nostalgic toys and games and re-imagined classic brands. Learn more about writing for Toy Tales.